Saturday, 29 December 2012

It's been an absolute whirlwind this month, with party planning, gift wrapping and pop up shops a-plenty. Festive preparations, from tree decorating to hand making hundreds of gift tags were the order of the day, with our annual pre-Christmas sample sale in Brighton taking centre stage. We've been blown away by the number of people lovingly choosing our scarves as gifts for friends and family. It's the ultimate in satisfaction for us.

Tuesday, 4 December 2012

We're pleased to announce that our Owl and Pirate Queen scarves are now available at Wolf and Badger's shop in Notting Hill.

Wolf and Badger is a beacon of cutting edge designer talent, stocking labels like Bex Rox, Fury Shoes and Helen Ruth so it's an honour to find our scarves amongst its treasures. We hope that some of you will make it down to Ledbury Road for a spot of Christmas shopping.

Thursday, 29 November 2012

November was the month of the pocket square! We released Dark Horses opposing black and white pocket squares and snapped Sir David Attenborough wearing our owl pocket! There was also flurry of artwork at Age of Reason HQ, with Ali working on final designs for AW13.

Tuesday, 27 November 2012

Throughout the year we wrap our scarves in natural brown paper and hand-stamp each package with a gold Age of Reason Galleon ship representing quality and adventure. This Christmas we're adding our signature Russian doll ceramic tags to all orders for large and medium scarves.

We'll also be offering a gift subscription from Monday Dec 3rd, which includes 3 scarves to be shipped throughout the year. Order by Dec Tues18th to receive them in time for Christmas

Thursday, 15 November 2012

There are few things as poppy, as whizz- bang boom, and as downright colourful as celebrity stylist Alexis Knox's Tumbr. Recently she's been enjoying DJ-ing, styling uber model Viktoria Modesta to perfection, and wearing Age of Reason scarves. All fun at Knox HQ then! Her page reminds us of Vogue's current POP issue, which is also worth a look.

Sunday, 4 November 2012

We're very proud to have created these collaborative silk pocket squares for Dark Horses, a Brighton based UK band who've just released their debut album 'Dark Horse Black Music'. http://www.darkhorsesmusic.com/

With discerning fans such as Beck, Sigor Ros, and airtime on BBC 6 Music including a stunning live set with Nemone, Dark Horses are a band we think are worthy of a listen.

The pocket squares are 100% silk and Made England, they come in two opposing colour ways.

They were designed to be sold at Dark Horses memorable shows as part of their current tour, and are also available online here. www.age-of-reason-studios.com

Wednesday, 31 October 2012

Participating in the first ever Best of Britannia show was the hands-down highlight of October. Ali had fun sampling Claire English's silver bubble blower and wearing Age of Reason "Karl be Nice" badges. We've done some market shopping in Spitalfields and purchased a Blythe doll who looks great in our Jubilee pocket squares. Closer to home, we've visited Fashion and the Flag at Brighton Museum to gawp and gasp at various union flag inspired creations from the likes of Dame Viv Westwood and Alexander McQueen.

Tuesday, 9 October 2012

We've been inspired, excited, surprised and amazed over the past 3 days whilst exhibiting at Best of Britannia in London. This exclusively British Made trade and retail show uses the tag line "Come to your senses" on its brochure, and now we understand why. We've tasted, we've smelled, we've touched, we've seen and we've heard things we didn't think were possible.

We strive to offer something quintessentially British, of extremely high quality enhanced by a playful twist drawn from out British punk heritage. Deborah Meaden, entrepreneur and owner of luxury goods brand The Merchant Fox swung but our stand on Friday and was very enthusiastic about our brand. She defines British designer strengths- "What we do well is something that is traditional, but presented in a relevant, modern way." (Apply that to Age of Reason scarves, and perhaps change to IRREVERENT )

What was clear about all the BoB exhibiting brands was not only a passion for British manufacturing, but an obsession with making the best possible products. Two minutes talking to Giles Ellis of Schofield Watches is enough to convince anyone that this is a man who cares about watches more than you thought possible, but the results are exquisitely made timepieces with a seductive "heft" to them. Tusting bags, Pashley Cycles, Archie Foal knitwear, Jessica de Lotz jewellery and Demarquette chocolates exhibit the same passion.

The Age of Reason Pirate Queen scarf was shown at BoB, and proved a hit with Deborah Meaden, and while it's on her Christmas list, we're quite sure she won't be wearing hers like this.

A brand, which particularly stood out to us was Dashing Tweeds, a company making tweed from 99% wool and 1% reflective yarn. Their product range includes cloth by the meter, reflective tweed cloaks and coats you can cycle in and some natty hats. This is exactly the sort of completely bonkers thing we love and expect from our fellow British designer makers. And we can't help thinking what brilliant stage outfits they would make for those of a rock and roll persuasion.

Dashing Tweeds are British Made fabrics with an exciting difference. They have produced for House of Holland and Hudson Shoes, and have worked on a collaboration with Topshop.

We walked away with quite a few purchases ourselves, feeling absolutely justified at the premium cost because we've bought beautiful lifetime lasting things (apart from the chocolates that is!) We've also had a good chinwag with everyone from the other designers and visitors to Deborah Meaden, Mary Portas and Melanie Rickey; all people who've offered us their perspective and been very positive about our brand.

We're already looking forward to the next BoB Event, around October 2013, when we hope to do it all again! The passion and energy so far have been fantastic.

Saturday, 29 September 2012

With lots of birthdays on the way in and around Age of Reason towers, we've been treating ourselves. Ali bought these beautiful log bark candles from I-Gigi Hove to keep us in good spirits as the long evenings get a little shorter. Another fabulous purchase was the leather backpack from French and English Confectioners , which is used to carry Age of Reason's portable office (aka Le Mac Book).

WHAT WE DO

Age of Reason is a UK accessories label making beautiful scarves, hats and cushions in Britain. As a label we pride ourselves on quality and integrity, creating wearable luxury with a playful, punk twist. Audacious prints and beautiful fabrics define our collections, which are stocked in great boutiques around the world.

HOW WE DO IT

Every fine accessory we produce is Made in England from natural fibres like pure silk, wool, chiffon and cotton velvet. We've scoured the country to source the finest materials, and only work with the very best UK based artisans who can meet our high standards. Each textile-based piece is hemmed and hand finished by a skilled seamstress in Yorkshire, while our hats are made in Sussex using traditional methods.